Ranked Top Regional College for Veterans by U.S. News

WHEELING, WV, November 12, 2013 - U.S.News & World Report listed Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU) as the best college for veterans among south regional colleges.

In its inaugural Best Colleges for Veterans Rankings, U.S.News measured those colleges and universities listed in its 2014 Best Colleges Guide, ranking the top institutions based on academic quality, reputation and graduation, but also services provided specifically to veterans.

"Providing a high quality education to all students is at the core of the WJU mission," said Rev. James Fleming, S.J., president. "Military veterans, active service members and their families have particular needs - ease in applying to colleges, not to mention paying for and completing their degrees. This ranking shows that we provide support to assist those men and women who serve our country as active members of the military, veterans and their family members."

Since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was implemented in August 2009, colleges and universities have experienced an influx of veterans and their family members eager to use the expanded educational benefits.

The 234 institutions on the new list scored well in the Best College Guide markers. To qualify for the Best Colleges for Veterans guide, schools had to be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, two federal initiatives that help veterans reduce the cost of education. These programs not only help finance the cost of attending an institution by sparing them from overbearing debt, they also increase the likelihood students will stay in school and graduate on time.

Finally, the colleges or universities are required to be members of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium, a group that works to simplify credit transfers and give veterans credit for military training and national tests such as the College-Level Examination Program.

Wheeling Jesuit has about 30 veterans or members of their families and active reservists attending the University at this time.